Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez faces scrutiny over her recent social media response to allegations of misusing congressional funds.
According to The Western Journal, Americans for Public Trust filed an ethics complaint against the New York Democrat for allegedly using taxpayer money from the Member Representational Allowance to pay for dance lessons and restaurant expenses.
The watchdog group's investigation revealed payments of $3,700 to an individual named "Juan D Gonzalez" for apparent dance lessons, along with an $850 payment to Bronx youth dance organization "Bombazo Dance Co Inc." Additionally, the complaint highlights a substantial restaurant expense of $3,384.74 at a taco establishment.
When political commentator Paul A. Szypula brought attention to these allegations on X, Ocasio-Cortez responded with a definitive denial. The congresswoman claimed the expenses were part of an FEC filing rather than taxpayer funds. AOC stated on X:
100% wrong. None of this is taxpayer money, this is an FEC filing. Be loud and wrong about something else. Try again next time
Her response, however, may have complicated matters further. The New York Post's investigation found no evidence of these expenses in Ocasio-Cortez's FEC filings for campaign disbursements.
Americans for Public Trust conducted a thorough examination of House disbursements covering October through December 2024. Their search yielded no records matching the contested expenses.
The ethics complaint specifically addresses this discrepancy, noting that the congresswoman's own statement suggests these expenses should have appeared in FEC records if they were indeed campaign-related expenditures.
This development has created additional complications for Ocasio-Cortez, as her attempt to dismiss the allegations may have inadvertently raised more questions about the nature of these payments.
The incident recalls previous public confrontations involving the congresswoman, including a notable 2019 exchange with Border Czar Tom Homan regarding asylum seekers.
During that encounter, Ocasio-Cortez attempted to challenge Homan's position on illegal asylum seekers but faced immediate pushback when he cited existing laws and pointed out the availability of legal ports of entry.
An ethics complaint against Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez stems from alleged misuse of the Member Representational Allowance, which is designated for specific congressional expenses such as staffing, office supplies, and travel.
The controversy escalated when the congresswoman attempted to defend herself on the social media platform X, claiming the expenses were documented in FEC filings.
However, subsequent investigations by multiple sources, including The New York Post and Americans for Public Trust, found no corresponding records in FEC filings or House disbursements, leading to increased scrutiny of the original expenses and the congresswoman's public response.
